Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 65489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
“See that you do.”
“Is there anything else?” Ben glanced nervously toward the door.
There was so much else I wanted, but it wasn’t time for that yet. However, I could indulge one of my desires. I hadn’t arranged a date to the gala I was hosting the next day. Partly because the only person I wanted to go with was Ben. I’d considered asking him and rejected the idea. Now, with him in front of me, so eager to please, so pliant. I couldn’t resist the urge. “I have a proposition for you.”
“What is it, sir?” I saw concern flash in his eyes. I could guess what he thought I would propose, and while I fully intended to get to that, this wouldn’t be my approach. Although, if he kept using that soft voice and calling me sir….
“As you know, we’re hosting a gala tomorrow night to benefit the Artistic Endeavors Foundation.” Most of the arrangements had been made before I hired Ben, but he’d brought me plenty of papers to sign about it and accompanied the event planners to the building’s upper-level event space.
“Of course.”
“I’d like you to accompany me.”
He frowned. “As your assistant?”
I smiled. “If you like.”
“Mr. Montgomery, I’m afraid I’m really not prepared. I would need formal wear, and I’m not sure what you would need me for. If you would let me—”
“Hush.”
Ben stiffened at the harsh command.
“Marisol will deliver a tux for you later today.”
“You’re having a tux made for me?”
To see that look of wonder on his face, I’d have a castle built for him. “It’s part of your job to attend this function. I told you I would be providing your work wardrobe.”
Ben frowned. “You’re not doing that for anyone else here.”
“How do you know?” Color rose in his cheeks. “Ben?”
“Because I’d be able to tell. Your taste is excellent.”
His praise was doing dangerous things to me. “I’m glad you noticed.”
“I notice a lot of things.”
I looked him up and down slowly. “I think you do.”
“What would you need me to do at the gala?”
“Be observant.”
He frowned. “That’s all?”
“And keep me company. Most of these things are dead boring, and I get preyed up on by gold diggers and people who want to exploit their connection to me.”
“Surely you have someone else who could—”
“I’m asking you.”
He clearly wanted to question me, but he stopped himself. “I’ll be there.”
“My car will pick you up at seven thirty. You can mingle during the cocktail hour, then you’ll be seated at my table for dinner.”
“Okay. I can do that, but you never said what you want me to observe.”
“Anyone who seems to be disgruntled. Anyone talking in a way that indicates they’ve just increased their income unexpectedly.”
“So, you want me to help you figure out what’s going on with the financial reporting?”
“Yes, and also, let me know if anyone is talking too enthusiastically about the company, oversharing. I want to be sure no one is sharing proprietary information.”
He looked taken aback for a moment, but he schooled his face quickly. “I…I can do that.”
“Good.” I nodded. “I’d like to know about anyone who’s acting suspiciously interested, like they are seeking information about the company that is none of their business.”
“Yes, sir.” He was pale now, and clearly scared. I was toying with him. It wasn’t nice, but then I wasn’t nice, and if he was innocent, it ultimately wouldn’t matter.
9
BEN
I was uncomfortable as hell, but not because of what I was wearing. The tux Marisol had made fit me perfectly. The fabric was soft and as comfortable as formal wear could possibly be. I was uncomfortable because I did not belong at a function like this. If I were being honest, I didn’t belong in the C-suite at Montgomery Enterprises. I still wasn’t sure why Miles had hired me. I wasn’t qualified. I was sure he knew that, though I had done a fine job so far. I prayed he hadn’t hired me to humiliate me as punishment for trying to infiltrate the company. I couldn’t help feeling like the other shoe would drop at any second.
Would he expose me at the gala? I didn’t think so. Making a scene at a fundraiser wasn’t his style.
I hadn’t known what to think about him sending a car to pick me up. The sleek black limo was beyond out of place in my neighborhood. Several people came out on their stoops or fire escapes to watch as the chauffeur opened the door for me.
Miles wasn’t in the car. I wasn’t sure if I was relieved or disappointed. He probably had dozens of limos and drivers at his disposal, and this wasn’t a date. He’d asked me to go with him as his assistant. Hadn’t he?
His “if you like” rang in my head. What had he meant by that? Was this a date? No. Billionaires didn’t actually date their assistants. If he wanted me, he’d make that clear. He wouldn’t expect to need to wine and dine me, and he would be right because, God help me, I’d give him whatever he asked for. If he made a move, there was no way I was going to be able to turn him down. Every time he was near me, I was so distracted I could barely do my job.